Comments on: Seeds of Compassion Reflections

By: diane

diane — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:26:21 +0000

Very interesting stuff. I’ve never experienced Christians that think they are the only compassionate people, so I guess I can’t relate to that idea. I’ve had many friends, Christian and other beliefs that are very giving and loving. I wish I could have attended this conference to understand more of its purpose. I’ve read and heard the positive and negative views of it from a variety of places, and I can see both sides of the issue. I listen to Rob Bell’s Mars Hill podcast regularly and it doesn’t surprise me at all that he was one of the panelists. I have always been inspired by his beliefs in community and when I have the occasion to visit Mars Hill, I see it in action as well.

But just like Mike said, I’m also concerned about this. Even if the only purpose was just talking about compassion and humanity, it was still from the perspective of different faiths. As evangelical Christians, shouldn’t Christ be brought into the conversation? I don’t think this conference was unbiblical, but I do wonder if Jesus would have volunteered to be on the panel. If so, what would he have said?

By: Heidi

Heidi — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:34:25 +0000

I was looking around for blogs on Seeds of Compassion and found yours. I really liked what you had to say. I so did not like those I found disparaging you and Rob Bell for not preaching what they thought you should preach. They talked of being Ambassadors for Christ. When they speak of someone like me as “lost” and not truly compassionate, how can they not know they have become Alienators for Christ?

I thought the very human interplay between HH and Desmond Tutu not only was what did you say, deconstructing, but it was profoundly sacred. No barriers. That moment, when they just looked each other in the eyes, and then laughed. That loving connection, that is the thing.

By: David

David — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:52:17 +0000

Oh dear.. Corey, you spoke too soon it seems…
Fantastic stuff, Doug. So much hope!

By: Troy Bronsink

Troy Bronsink — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:09:52 +0000

Doug!

fun to catch up on the ride to portland. nice medium

I loved the seeds of compassion vids, i skipped around and bit but saw your piece on the adoption, and joining folks already showing compassion.

much love to you and shelly. it is good for creation to have you doing what you do. it helps me be who I am. thanks.

btw i recognized yours and rob’s costumes from Tony’s vid:)

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:41:58 +0000

This was a chance to show that Christians care about compassion as well as the rest of the world.

I’m so glad Doug Pagitt and Rob Bell chose to do that.

I’m disappointed at the Christians who think they should have opted out and I don’t really understand it because the Bible clearly says Jesus was a very compassionate man. I wonder why his followers don’t value compassion like he did? I wonder what he thinks about that?

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:54:09 +0000

What??? Did you get a chance to share Jesus? If you are labeled “Evangelical”, then I want no parts. Thanks to you and Rob for showing your true colors in participating in an event like this. Wow!

By: Nate Bettger

Nate Bettger — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:08:44 +0000

Doug,
Cool that you’re hanging out with some of my people… here in the NW. Lisa and Jim… good folks! I’m so pumped for the opportunities you are being given, and so glad to see your humility and honest reflection on all of it. The reflection you gave in the panel on the warm blanket really struck home for many of us in our Sunday evening gathering. It’s the story that we identify with… and you are telling so many good ones. Thanks.

It will be great to have you and Tony here in Bend this summer for the tour.
Nate

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:11:30 +0000

Doug,

I would have liked to comment on what you had to say, but I was too busy counting the many cars and trucks that you passed. How fast were you driving?

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:22:19 +0000

Doug,

I’m concerned about this. How does a Christian justify engaging in spiritual enterprise with a bunch of non-Christians? This is extremely dangerous ground to tread on, and we risk corrupting ourselves and our weaker brethren.

We can pay all the lip service to Jesus we want, but if we only speak of His mercy and compassion, we’re only telling half the story and not doing any real good. He will return as judge and avenger in the end times and will eternally punish people whose sins are not forgiven. We need to warn people about this if we are going to display real love.

Unless we’re there to share the gospel of Jesus’ death & resurrection, and plead with all of them to repent of their sin and believe on Him (which is showing TRUE compassion), the Bible is pretty clear about not engaging spiritually in these kinds of interfaith ventures (2 Corinthians 6).

Also, what about what happened when the ark of God was brought into the temple of Dagon in 1 Samuel 5?

–Mike

By: Corey

Corey — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:24:44 +0000

Funny…You get critiqued like crazy because they just KNOW that you’re not going to talk about Jesus. Then all you do is talk about Jesus. I wonder if the haters will give you props for it???